Integrated value of Thompson Creek and Langeloth is expected to have
after-tax NPV8% of $472M and IRR of 22%
Langeloth, at full capacity and integrated with Thompson Creek, is expected to generate
approximately $45M earnings from operations and $50M EBITDANG per year
All figures are in United States dollars. All production figures reflect payable metal quantities and are on a 100% basis, unless otherwise stated. For references denoted with NG, refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” disclosure at the end of this news release for a description of these measures.
Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX: CG) (NYSE: CGAU) announces the results from its Thompson Creek feasibility study, including a strategic, integrated business plan for its Molybdenum Business Unit consisting of a restart of the Thompson Creek Mine and a commercially optimized plan for the Langeloth Metallurgical Facility, collectively the US Molybdenum Operations.
President and CEO, Paul Tomory, commented, “Over the last year, we have developed a value-enhancing strategy for Centerra’s US molybdenum operations, centered around the vertical integration of Thompson Creek and Langeloth, and supported by strong molybdenum market fundamentals. The combined US Moly business is expected to produce an after-tax net present value (8%) of $472 million. A key contributor to this value is Langeloth, which at full capacity, integrated with Thompson Creek, has the potential to generate robust annual EBITDA. Today, we announce the decision to unlock significant value through the restart of operations at Thompson Creek and a progressive ramp-up of production at Langeloth. When Thompson Creek begins production, currently targeted for the second half of 2027, it will provide additional high-grade, high-quality feed to Langeloth, enabling a ramp-up of production towards Langeloth’s full annual capacity of 40 million pounds while improving operational flexibility to meet market demand.”
Paul Tomory continued, “We completed a feasibility study at Thompson Creek that has confirmed the capital estimate from the pre-feasibility study, while adding another year of production. Following significant progress on permitting efforts in the second quarter 2024, we have pivoted from a two-phased approval to a single-phase capital investment of $397 million over three years, from now through mid-2027. Our total project costs guidance at Thompson Creek for the second half of 2024 is expected to be $55 to $65 million. We will provide 2025 guidance for Thompson Creek with our annual guidance that is expected to be published early next year.”
Paul Tomory concluded, “We are continuing to explore strategic options to unlock the full potential of our molybdenum business, in line with Centerra’s strategy to maximize the value of each asset in our portfolio. While Centerra expects to remain a gold-focused company, we acknowledge the significant value of our base metal assets.”
Integrated US Moly Highlights
US Moly(1) (Thompson Creek + Langeloth) |
Thompson Creek Only(3) |
Langeloth Only |
|
NPV8% | $472M | $185M | $258M |
Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) | 22% | 15% | n.m. |
Additions to PP&E / Non-sustaining capital expendituresNG(2) | $397M | $397M | – |
(1) | US Moly includes an additional $29M of unattributed tax synergies. |
(2) | Additions to Property, Plant, and Equipment (“PP&E”) are the same as Capital ExpendituresNG. |
(3) | The economic assessment for Thompson Creek in the FS (as defined below) has been prepared on a stand-alone basis and does not include integration with Langeloth. The economics for integrating Thompson Creek and Langeloth are extrapolated from the Thompson Creek feasibility study. NOTE: See “Assumptions” at the end of this news release. “n.m.” stand for not meaningful. |
US Moly: Thompson Creek + Langeloth | ||
FS(1) | PFS | |
NPV8% | $472M | $218M |
NPV5% | $692M | $373M |
IRR | 22% | 16% |
LOM | 12 years | 11 years |
Thompson Creek Molybdenum Production | 146M lbs | 134M lbs |
Additions to PP&E / Non-sustaining capital expendituresNG(2,3) | $397M | $350M – $400M |
(1) | The economics for integrating Thompson Creek and Langeloth are extrapolated from the Thompson Creek feasibility study. |
(2) | Additions to PP&E are the same as Capital ExpendituresNG. |
(3) | Thompson Creek only; Langeloth additions to PP&E are in the range of $3 to $4 million per year and are considered sustaining capital. |
Langeloth Highlights
Thompson Creek FS Highlights
The Company expects to file a technical report for Thompson Creek on its website at www.centerragold.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
US Moly Overview
US Moly, consisting of the Langeloth metallurgical facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the Thompson Creek mine in Idaho, is part of Centerra’s MBU. The molybdenum assets were acquired by Centerra in 2016, along with the Mount Milligan gold-copper mine.
Langeloth
Langeloth is one of three molybdenum conversion facilities in the United States. Its facility and existing permits make it a unique and strategic asset, given its proximity to the North American steel market. Langeloth began commercial molybdenum conversion operations in 1924 and has historically operated at levels significantly higher than today. Over a two-year period prior to the suspension of the Thompson Creek mine in December 2014, the volume of molybdenum roasted at Langeloth was around 37 million pounds per year.
Langeloth operates as a conversion facility of molybdenum concentrate into metallurgical and chemical grade products. These products are sold to steel, other metallurgical, and chemical producers globally. Technical oxide is the main product manufactured by Langeloth due to its role as a key input in the manufacturing of high-performance steels. It can potentially be further processed into value-added products that command a higher margin. Langeloth can also produce ferromolybdenum and pure molybdenum oxide, and it has the capability to produce byproducts such as rhenium, with flexibility to adjust the product mix depending on market demand and the quality of concentrates sourced. The availability of high-quality Thompson Creek concentrate provides significant commercial flexibility to the MBU.
Commercial Optimization of Langeloth
Centerra has completed a commercial optimization plan at Langeloth, geared at increasing profitability and maximizing its future potential by increasing production levels, achieved by a ramp-up in the purchase of third-party concentrates and the restart of the Thompson Creek primary molybdenum mine.
Langeloth is well-positioned to capitalize on the current supply deficit in the molybdenum market and grow the business to meet the market demand. In the recent past Langeloth has operated slightly below its annual breakeven capacity of approximately 14 million pounds. The operation can be ramped up to full capacity to enable production of approximately 40 million pounds per year in a straightforward manner.
At full capacity, significant synergies and margin improvements that will enhance future cash flow generation and profitability from US Moly are expected to result from: (1) ability to leverage fixed costs, related to increased capacity utilization at Langeloth from the current level of approximately one third; (2) ability to blend the high-quality Thompson Creek concentrate with lower quality third-party concentrates; and (3) the ability, enabled by the quality of the Thompson Creek concentrate, to produce an increased volume of higher margin final molybdenum products.
At full production capacity, integrated with Thompson Creek, the molybdenum conversion facility at Langeloth has the potential to generate annually approximately $50 million of EBITDANG, $40 million in cash flow from operations and free cash flowNG of $35 million.
As a result of the compelling value opportunity, Centerra is initiating a progressive ramp-up at Langeloth to allow for commercial optimization. Langeloth is expected to ramp up production progressively towards its full capacity of 40 million pounds per annum by 2028, which aligns with Thompson Creek’s expected first full year of production. At full capacity, the molybdenum feed processed at the Langeloth facility is expected to consist of approximately one third supplied by Thompson Creek and approximately two thirds purchased from third-party providers. Further details on the restart of Thompson Creek are provided below.
Based on an assumed flat price of $20 per pound molybdenum, a working capital investment will be required over the period from 2025 to 2028 to support the ramp-up to full capacity. On a cash flow basis, this increase in working capital is expected to be largely offset by cash flow generated by Langeloth during the same period. The structure of commercial contracts at Langeloth helps to mitigate molybdenum price volatility. Concentrates are purchased at a discount to the prevailing market molybdenum price, while final products are generally sold at prices at or above this benchmark. As a result, the integrated operations of US Moly will be better positioned to withstand future fluctuations in molybdenum prices.
Reaching higher capacity utilization will depend on several factors which are not fully in Centerra’s control, including the ability to acquire third-party concentrates on favourable commercial terms over a significant period of time.
Thompson Creek
The Thompson Creek mine is a large open-pit primary molybdenum mine. It was a producing mine until it was placed on care and maintenance in December 2014. It has an existing open pit, as well as established site infrastructure, processing facilities and equipment fleet.
Feasibility Study
The Company has completed a FS on the restart of mining at Thompson Creek, with the objective of realizing value for the US Moly business. A restart of Thompson Creek, on a stand-alone basis, is expected to result in NPV8% of $185 million and IRR of 15%, based on an assumed flat molybdenum price of $20 per pound. The FS includes an optimized mine plan with a 12-year mine life. A summary of the FS production profile is included in the table below.
Thompson Creek FS Production Profile
Total Mined (M tons) |
Grade of Ore Processed (% Mo) |
Molybdenum Production(3) (Mlb) |
|
2024(1) | 4.9 | – | – |
2025 | 50.0 | – | – |
2026 | 48.0 | – | – |
2027(2) | 52.0 | 0.05 | 4.7 |
2028 | 56.9 | 0.07 | 12.4 |
2029 | 51.0 | 0.08 | 14.5 |
2030 | 45.0 | 0.08 | 14.7 |
2031 | 37.0 | 0.07 | 13.7 |
2032 | 57.0 | 0.05 | 9.7 |
2033 | 40.0 | 0.04 | 7.8 |
2034 | 36.7 | 0.08 | 15.9 |
2035 | 24.2 | 0.10 | 19.3 |
2036 | 8.0 | 0.06 | 12.2 |
2037 | – | 0.05 | 9.1 |
2038 | – | 0.05 | 9.1 |
2039(2) | – | 0.03 | 2.4 |
Total LOM | 510.7 | 0.06 | 145.6 |
(1) | 2024 figures for the period from September 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024. |
(2) | Production is expected for a part of this year. |
(3) | It is estimated that approximately 4.7% of the recovered molybdenum pounds will be further refined at Thompson Creek and sold as high-performance molybdenum. |
NOTE: “Mo” stands for molybdenum, “M tons” stands for millions of short (US) tons, “Mlb” stands for millions of molybdenum pounds. Totals may not sum precisely due to rounding. |
The cost profile associated with the FS is largely driven by the grade profile. AISCNG per pound from 2028 to 2031 are expected to be lower than the LOM average due to higher grades and more ore tons mined, which is expected to result in stronger cash flows in these years. The average operating costs over the LOM are detailed in the table below. These operating costs exclude capitalized pre-production costs, which are included in capital costs. Processing costs cover mill, tailings and water management costs.
LOM average operating costs | |
Mining | $2.03 per ton mined |
Processing | $4.85 per ton processed |
General and administrative (“G&A”) | $1.67 per ton processed |
Capital ExpendituresNG
Centerra is proceeding with a restart of Thompson Creek, which is expected to require an investment of approximately $397 million in total initial, non-sustaining capital expendituresNG over three years, from September 2024 through mid-2027. In the second quarter of 2024, following environmental studies and regulatory reviews, Centerra obtained mine permit authorizations for additional lands at Thompson Creek, which will enable the proposed pit highwall layback included in the FS. As a result of receiving these mine permit authorizations, a key first step in the overall permitting process, the Company is moving away from a two-phased capital approval previously disclosed to a single-phase capital investment over three years. Thompson Creek is proactively advancing environmental studies which should support future permitting, which will not be required until several years after first production.
Centerra’s capital investment at the Thompson Creek mine is significantly de-risked due to an existing pit, significantly advanced equipment rebuilds and purchases, and an existing process plant that requires some refurbishment. Early works to support the restart of operations at Thompson Creek are underway, progressing on budget and on schedule. The majority of the capital expenditures going forward are expected to be focused on pre-stripping activities and mill refurbishment. Over the first six months of 2024, capital spending at Thompson Creek was primarily related to refurbishment of existing mining mobile equipment and the purchase of additional mobile equipment, stripping activities and technical studies.
Updated 2024 Guidance at Thompson Creek
For the second half of 2024, total project costs at Thompson Creek are expected to be $55 to $65 million, primarily related to pre-production stripping and mine mobile fleet upgrades. Approximately $10 million of these costs will be expensed for accounting purposes, with the remainder treated as capital expenditures. Including the actual amounts spent in the first six months of 2024 of $20.9 million, full year 2024 project development costs guidance at Thompson Creek is $75 to $85 million.
Sensitivity to Molybdenum Prices
The Thompson Creek FS and integration of Langeloth demonstrate strong economics at assumed flat molybdenum prices of $20 per pound. Langeloth provides resilience to low molybdenum prices in the cycle. The sensitivity to changes in molybdenum prices is illustrated in the table below.
FS Economics (Thompson Creek only)
Molybdenum Price ($/pound) | ||||
$17.50 | $20.00 (FS price) | $22.50 | $25.00 | |
NPV8% | ($7M) | $185M | $370M | $542M |
NPV5% | $70M | $307M | $535M | $744M |
IRR | 8% | 15% | 21% | 26% |
US Moly Integrated Economics (Thompson Creek plus Langeloth)
Molybdenum Price ($/pound) | ||||
$17.50 | $20.00 (FS price) | $22.50 | $25.00 | |
NPV8% | $313M | $472M | $628M | $782M |
NPV5% | $496M | $692M | $885M | $1,076M |
IRR | 18% | 22% | 26% | 29% |
Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimates
Thompson Creek is an open pit operation that was active until 2014 when management made the decision to cease operations due to falling molybdenum prices. After approximately 10 years on care and maintenance, the historical mineral resource model needed to be updated. The tables below outline the mineral reserve and resources at Thompson Creek as of September 1, 2024.
Thompson Creek Mineral Molybdenum Reserve and Resource Estimate (September 1, 2024)
Tons (M) |
Molybdenum Grade (%) |
Contained Molybdenum (Mlbs) |
|
Proven | 49 | 0.076 | 75 |
Probable | 75 | 0.057 | 86 |
Proven and Probable | 125 | 0.065 | 161 |
Measured | 6 | 0.059 | 7 |
Indicated | 50 | 0.057 | 57 |
Measured and Indicated | 55 | 0.057 | 63 |
Inferred | 12 | 0.072 | 17 |
NOTE: See “Reserve and Resource Notes” at the end of this news release. Totals may not sum precisely due to rounding.
Endako Project
Centerra has a 75% interest in the Endako mine in northern British Columbia, Canada, which is part of the MBU. The remaining 25% interest is held by Moon River Capital Ltd. Endako is expected to remain in care and maintenance while the Company focuses on the Thompson Creek restart. Endako is an important primary molybdenum asset with a large defined resource in a top-tier jurisdiction, with a modern processing plant, providing longer-term optionality. Should Endako be restarted in the future, it has the potential to provide approximately one third of the molybdenum feed supplied to Langeloth, which could either complement or replace the Thompson Creek feed.
Molybdenum Market
Molybdenum is an industrial metal principally used for metallurgical applications such as a ferro-alloy in engineered, stainless, and other speciality steels where high strength, temperature-resistant or corrosion-resistant properties are sought. The addition of molybdenum enhances the strength, toughness and wear and corrosion-resistance in steels. Molybdenum is used in major industries including chemical and petrochemical processing, oil and gas for drilling and pipelines, power generation, automotive and aerospace. It is also required for several green energy applications, especially wind, geothermal and nuclear. Higher purity molybdenum is also widely used in non-metallurgical applications such as petroleum refining catalysts, lubricants, flame-retardants in plastics, water treatment and as a pigment.
According to the World Bank report “Minerals for Climate Action: The Mineral Intensity of the Clean Energy Transition” (2020), molybdenum is named one of the cross-cutting minerals, like copper, needed across a range of low-carbon technologies, especially wind and geothermal. The report estimates that the cumulative molybdenum demand under the renewable energy roadmap scenario from the International Renewable Energy Agency may grow by 119% through 2050 from green technologies only. Based on data from the International Molybdenum Association, the world used around 630 million pounds of molybdenum in 2023, with the most used in engineered steels (38%), stainless steels (25%) and chemicals (13%). A variety of end uses and limited substitution ensures that molybdenum is not dependent on specific industries, making the demand for it relatively stable.
About Centerra Gold
Centerra Gold Inc. is a Canadian-based gold mining company focused on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and copper properties in North America, Türkiye, and other markets worldwide. Centerra operates two mines: the Mount Milligan Mine in British Columbia, Canada, and the Öksüt Mine in Türkiye. The Company also owns the Goldfield District Project in Nevada, United States, the Kemess Project in British Columbia, Canada, and owns and operates the Molybdenum Business Unit in the United States and Canada. Centerra’s shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange. The Company is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Reserve and Resource Notes
Feasibility Study Qualified Persons
Lars Weiershäuser, PhD, P.Geo, and Centerra’s Director, Geology, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release related to mineral resource estimates. Dr. Weiershäuser is a Qualified Person within the meaning of the Canadian Securities Administrators’ National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Jean-Francois St-Onge, Professional Engineer, member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO), has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release related to mineral reserve estimates, operating and capital costs. Mr. St-Onge is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Mr. St-Onge was Centerra’s Senior Director, Technical Services until May 31, 2024, and is now providing services to the Company as an external consultant.
All other scientific and technical information presented in this news release was reviewed and approved by Centerra’s geological and mining staff under the supervision of W. Paul Chawrun, Professional Engineer, member of the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO) and Centerra’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Chawrun is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101.
For more information on the FS and the full list of QPs, please refer to the full technical report for the Thompson Creek mine at www.centerragold.com, on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.
Assumptions
The economic analysis of the project was performed using the following assumptions and basis:
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